Senate approves Jones Resolution to keep the words ‘under God’ in the Pledge of Allegiance

LANSING—The Michigan Senate on Wednesday approved a resolution, introduced by Sen. Rick Jones, recognizing the 60th anniversary of the words “under God” being added to the Pledge of Allegiance.

“By passing this resolution, we are honoring former Michigan legislators who worked to enshrine these words in our nation’s Pledge of Allegiance,” said Jones, R-Grand Ledge. “We want to ensure that these words remain the decree of our country.”

Senate Resolution 108 asks Congress to keep the words “under God” preserved in the nation’s Pledge. It recognizes that the words “under God” were inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance by a federal Joint Resolution that was introduced by Michigan natives, Congressman Charles Oakman, R-17th District, and U.S. Sen. Homer Ferguson, R-Michigan, before being signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on Flag Day, June 14, 1954.

Michigan Congressman Louis Charles Rabaut, D-14th District, submitted a resolution on April 20, 1953, to amend the Pledge of Allegiance with the words “under God.” He was the first of many to introduce such similar legislation before it became law in 1954.

“These small yet powerful words, ‘nation, under God,’ were first spoken by President Abraham Lincoln during his Gettysburg Address. They gave our nation strength to persevere back then and are the thread that holds us together still today,” said Jones. “Congress must protect these words in our nation’s Pledge as a testament to our founding ideals.”

Jones worked on the resolution with Rep. Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt, who introduced a similar measure in the Michigan House of Representatives